[Guide] Graceful shutdown switch without Pololu [RETIRED]

[Camble]

@jazzy This is the only photo I have to hand right now.

[jazzy]

Thanks, and Outstanding! im a fan of how little space this mod takes up

[jazzy]

Hi again, I've one question about the resistor. I've got a couple 100k resistors. One is 1W and looks too big for the circuit compared to the one you're using. I've got another at 0.25W. What is the resistor size you're using, or what one would be suitable?

[Camble]

@jazzy 0.25w is sufficient. I used a 0.25w because of its size.

[RxBrad]

I'm pretty new to this stuff, and I'm confused by the "cut here" part in the photos. What are you cutting, and how? Thanks!

[Camble]

@RxBrad The board is made up of strips of copper. One of the traces needs to be cut to prevent two of the components shorting.

[RxBrad]

@Camble OK, I get it. I think I got confused by there not being an empty hole at that cut point. I messed around with an Xacto knife on some blank board and tried to cut between holes, but didn't get good results. I think I'll just rearrange to avoid cutting between holes whenever this comes up.

I found a YouTube video showing an easy way to cut links with a regular old drill bit. Seems easy enough, and doesn't actually require buying special tools.

I bought the stripboard wermy lists in the Wiki, but it doesn't have strips long enough to do this circuit exactly as you show. Looks like I can do some linking between the 2- and 5-hole strips to pull off the same effect though (and won't have to actually cut anything).

[Camble]

@RxBrad To be honest, this is just the way I laid out the circuit on my board. Whatever layout works for you. My original board was 3 strips, but I wanted to have one row for each header pin so added the 4th row.

That video is excellent btw! I'll probably do that from now on.

[Treguard]

Please can I just check if I've missed out on buying a premade one from you? Thanks

I did buy a replacement case from banggood, but don't think it comes with that pcb bit that's attached to the switch on your photo.
Is there an easy way to make this?

Would be grateful if anyone using the original switch fancies putting a video up please

[RxBrad]

@treguard The PCB is just plain stripboard. I think he glued the switch to it with epoxy.

Also, just another reminder to everyone to check the pins on the JFET before they get too far into things. I got a Fairchild-branded 2N5460 JFET, and the pins are ordered differently when compared to the JFET used in the first post here.